tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-123478452018-01-30T08:09:01.419-06:00The supposed golden pathRamblngs of a mad scientist about life, coffee and the pursuit of edibles.Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.comBlogger1874125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-32403492609178274792015-11-06T09:46:00.003-06:002015-11-06T10:16:52.536-06:00And so it begins....Today my dad is coming to help reno our bathroom.<br /><br />I.<br />Am.<br />So.<br />Excited.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKZDOZNEcFg/VjzSbk6KewI/AAAAAAAADXo/_AehAM8tntU/s1600/meep.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKZDOZNEcFg/VjzSbk6KewI/AAAAAAAADXo/_AehAM8tntU/s320/meep.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />Soon no more pink tub and surround, pink toilet and sink. No more uncleanable wood parkay flooring (icky patooey). AND a bathtub deep enough for a proper soaking bath. We splurged on the tub (it says it fills up to 19" deep muahahaha) and the rest will just be nice and simple. Dad is building me a vanity since it's a weird size and we're gonna put in a square vessel sink with a nice simple dark counter top from Rona. I have a new white toilet and a decent but cheap tub surround ready to go too. Wednesday we found some click and lay vinyl waterproof flooring that will be super easy to put down - a nice greyed marbley pattern. We like the current wall colour of the bathroom (a dark warm grey called Metropolis) and we're gonna build on that with white fixtures, a light grey vanity and dark vanity counter top and medium grey floor. All the fixtures are a brushed nickel which matches the towel rods and handles already in there so I'm really hoping it will come together nicely in the end.<br /><br />Now we just plan our attack. First we are replacing our robin's egg blue toilet downstairs which no longer works properly (why with the colours? Just why?) and will put the extra flooring from upstairs down as well in the half bath down there. It has grungy old parkay wood flooring there too (why unsealed wood floor in a bathroom? Just why?). This way we'll still have a toilet and sink to use while the upstairs bath is ripped apart. We'll be without a shower for a while...I think we'll be visiting my brother a lot!<br /><br />I'm not sure how I'll cope with my workouts now that I think of it. I've been doing the Insanity workout program and keeping up with it and am very pleased with how it's been going so far. I am dripping sweat at the end tho - with no shower I may have to become the queen of sponge baths...or maybe just go into the gym here on campus just so I can shower here! I guess I'll figure it out. I don't want to not workout during renos since I'll be sitting on my butt doing nothing after my surgery for a month. I guess I'll figure something out that won't send my family and coworkers running away from me. Much. Hmmmm...<br /><br />Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-24428803906570813182015-08-18T11:21:00.002-06:002015-08-18T11:43:26.917-06:00The day the music diedLife can be a cruel bastard sometimes.<br /><br />I had the pleasure to meet Jon Horvath a number of times over many years...many many years at Shambhala, Burning Man and other big electronic Canadian festivals....but also here many times at Saskatoon. Here at my home where he came to play sometimes and he and J talked music and laughed. He always made a point of saying hello to us whenever and wherever we found him. He let a shared love of music link up us and so many others with him and them. Considering the very social life he lived and the tragic loss of his lovely wife a few years ago he was kind and inspiring...and, dammit, he loved funk. He and his group Fort Knox Five made funk and brought it to the world. It was a unique funky sound I discovered and loved. Damn...I loved it. Still do. So many people do.<br /><br />Sadly Jon H died a few days ago. He drifted away from a coma after a sudden illness...and a whole musical community, me included (if I can even consider myself a part of it), are struck a bit dumb. It's really sad that a great guy who finally was really seeing his music getting successful and making a great life for himself and putting so much energy into other artists to help them is just...gone. <br /><br />A really great eulogy for Jon is <a href="http://www.motionpotion.com/funk-at-peace-remembering-jon-horvath-of-fort-knox-five/">here</a>. If you like funk or Fort Knox Five have a read and remember. Or better...play some funk. Dance under the stars. Look up Fort Knox Five on Soundcloud...tracks like <a href="https://soundcloud.com/fortknoxfive/sets/pressurize-the-cabin-lp">Fire in My Belly and Swinging on a Rhyme</a>? Well your ass will thank you and dance a little and bring&nbsp; a smile to your face. Listen to a few <a href="https://soundcloud.com/fortknoxfive/sets/funk-the-world" target="_blank">Funk The World mixes</a> to hear some great funk Fort Knox Five gathered from all around the world...because we all need a little more music in our lives.<br /><br />This man brought a lot of joy to my life and a whole lot of others I know and hold dear.<br />We will keep the funk alive.<br /><br />RIP Jon.Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-73263474353868631822015-05-01T16:57:00.000-06:002015-05-01T16:57:23.682-06:00Oh my god there's a mountain lion in your fridgeSomeone in a cancer group I'm a part of poste this the other day and it's funny...and very true.<br /><br />“What’s it like to go through cancer treatment? It’s something like this: one day, you’re minding your own business, you open the fridge to get some breakfast, and OH MY GOD THERE’S A MOUNTAIN LION IN YOUR FRIDGE.<br />Wait, what? How? Why is there a mountain lion in your fridge? NO TIME TO EXPLAIN. RUN! THE MOUNTAIN LION WILL KILL YOU! UNLESS YOU FIND SOMETHING EVEN MORE FEROCIOUS TO KILL IT FIRST!<br />So you take off running, and the mountain lion is right behind you. You know the only thing that can kill a mountain lion is a bear, and the only bear is on top of the mountain, so you better find that bear. You start running up the mountain in hopes of finding the bear. Your friends desperately want to help, but they are powerless against mountain lions, as mountain lions are godless killing machines. But they really want to help, so they’re cheering you on and bringing you paper cups of water and orange slices as you run up the mountain and yelling at the mountain lion - “GET LOST, MOUNTAIN LION, NO ONE LIKES YOU” - and you really appreciate the support, but the mountain lion is still coming.<br />Also, for some reason, there’s someone in the crowd who’s yelling “that’s not really a mountain lion, it’s a puma” and another person yelling “I read that mountain lions are allergic to kale, have you tried rubbing kale on it?”<br />As you’re running up the mountain, you see other people fleeing their own mountain lions. Some of the mountain lions seem comparatively wimpy - they’re half grown and only have three legs or whatever, and you think to yourself - why couldn’t I have gotten one of those mountain lions? But then you look over at the people who are fleeing mountain lions the size of a monster truck with huge prehistoric saber fangs, and you feel like an asshole for even thinking that - and besides, who in their right mind would want to fight a mountain lion, even a three-legged one?<br />Finally, the person closest to you, whose job it is to take care of you - maybe a parent or sibling or best friend or, in my case, my husband - comes barging out of the woods and jumps on the mountain lion, whaling on it and screaming “GODDAMMIT MOUNTAIN LION, STOP TRYING TO EAT MY WIFE,” and the mountain lion punches your husband right in the face. Now your husband (or whatever) is rolling around on the ground clutching his nose, and he’s bought you some time, but you still need to get to the top of the mountain.<br />Eventually you reach the top, finally, and the bear is there. Waiting. For both of you. You rush right up to the bear, and the bear rushes the mountain lion, but the bear has to go through you to get to the mountain lion, and in doing so, the bear TOTALLY KICKS YOUR ASS, but not before it also punches your husband in the face. And your husband is now staggering around with a black eye and bloody nose, and saying “can I get some help, I’ve been punched in the face by two apex predators and I think my nose is broken,” and all you can say is “I’M KIND OF BUSY IN CASE YOU HADN’T NOTICED I’M FIGHTING A MOUNTAIN LION.”<br />Then, IF YOU ARE LUCKY, the bear leaps on the mountain lion and they are locked in epic battle until finally the two of them roll off a cliff edge together, and the mountain lion is dead. <br />Maybe. You’re not sure - it fell off the cliff, but mountain lions are crafty. It could come back at any moment.<br />And all your friends come running up to you and say “that was amazing! You’re so brave, we’re so proud of you! You didn’t die! That must be a huge relief!” <br />Meanwhile, you blew out both your knees, you’re having an asthma attack, you twisted your ankle, and also you have been mauled by a bear. And everyone says “boy, you must be excited to walk down the mountain!” And all you can think as you stagger to your feet is “fuck this mountain, I never wanted to climb it in the first place.” Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-55689917683289668052015-04-22T13:10:00.000-06:002015-04-22T13:10:51.827-06:00Talk amongst yourselves<a href="http://www.filmsforaction.org/articles/why-do-so-many-people-do-drugs-instead-of-solving-for-root-causes/" target="_blank">This recent article </a>has a lot of really interesting points to make about how people deal with their lives, often in ways that are harmful, instead of working to make their life more satisfying. I've recently had a few conversations about this very topic...found it very interesting.<br />&nbsp;For example...<br />"Like our parents of the last generation, we are close to subduing the vibrant and powerful spirit of our bodies to the point of quiet bickering, to complaining quietly until it may have almost found solace in the only mediums it has been offered. We may now have almost accepted small pleasures and transient moments of commercial entertainment as enough – as if this was all there ever was.<br /> Our generation, whether they subscribe to higher ideals or not, is quickly and dangerously reaching the point where it is enough to “just get by”: to get a job, watch movies, have sex and buy more stuff. We can leave these problems to someone else. Content with the barrage of entertainment that consumer culture has to offer, and overwhelmed by the daunting challenge our generation faces, there are enough distractions to keep us comfortably numb well after we’ve forgotten what real life is all about.<br />&nbsp;<span id="article-text">Now, it’s true. Even eco-minded activists like to watch movies or get engrossed in the occasional videogame, go out for a few beers – whatever it is. It’s certainly fine to enjoy these things. It’s just important to keep these forms in balance with everything else in life.</span>"Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-9708975086069624612015-04-06T09:07:00.003-06:002015-04-06T09:11:13.459-06:00The only thingSo there's a new Sufjan Stevens album. And it turns out I can't stop listening to it. It's a sad album, songs about losing his mum...but, well I relate...and, well, the music is so damn beautiful. I think this and<a href="http://hermitology.com/post/115581953113/song-of-the-day-sufjan-stevens-the-only-thing" target="_blank"> The only thing</a> are my favourite tracks on the album. It's one of those songs to listen to on a train with the rain pouring outside, or a sunset stroll...haunting. <br /><br />The whole album is available on Soundcloud for listening on the Asthmatic Kitty label site. Have a listen. I bet it makes you twinkle inside just a little bit...<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/JTeKpWp8Psw" width="480"></iframe>Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-6222783365022896532015-03-01T14:12:00.001-06:002015-03-01T14:12:47.943-06:00Gollumy dayAs I sit here trying to write papers on my breast cancer research from my thesis I am still mentally foggy when I sit down to focus. &nbsp;It's what I have come to call in my head a Gollumy day. I am trying how to get past this so I can finish these papers and get things going without having to wash through all these emotions every time I whip out my data files and read up on the most recent breast cancer research. As I look at slides and count patient data I am vividly aware of the fact that each sample is a person. All this data…it *was* me. I, like others, am logged in the big beige slide and FFPE carousels on 5th floor at City Hospital…just another surgpath number. Yes, I did work to help make diagnosis better for people. In the process I met all the people who ended up testing and supporting me in my fight, giving me confidence in their quality of work and the level of treatment I received. It helped me stay sane knowing all the details I had learned.<br /><br />And now I'm better. So they say. I feel better. I have hair. I have my health back. I feel…almost…normal. Some days I can forget I was ever sick. Some days. Until I take of my shirt to get ready for bed and see the white line across my chest where my right breast used to be. Most days I remember how strong I am…was…and most days I remember what I learned about what I need to appreciate and look to as important in my life. It's not like I lost my legs or anything.<br />But some days, like today, as I sit with my kitten in my lap at the table typing and attempting to work on stats and read about breast cancer all that comes back in random flashes. Like some sort of demented PTSD. Trying to focus on things and ignore all the emotions that flow back is not something I'm completely ready for. Not so bad really…I just want it to go away…and am wondering if it ever will.<br /><br />When we went to Burning man last year I took my chemo log card. I left it in the temple and spent time there sobbing out my anxiety and worry and all that came with everything I had been through and tried my best to leave it there. When the temple burned it took a lot of that with it. I met up with some cancer survivors there and together we walked to remember and to forget. I let go of a lot there.<br />But apparently I still have a lot in there hiding out and it likes to come and visit from time to time. Just to mess with me.<br /><br />Well, Fuck you cancer. Fuck you for everything you took from me and everything I have to carry with me every day.<br /><br />I want to stand at the top of a mountain and scream with every fiber of my being…like Gollum said: LEAVE NOW AND NEVER COME BACK.<br /><br />You fucker.Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-77413003535983339352015-02-26T16:09:00.001-06:002015-02-26T16:09:59.196-06:00So tired<br /><br />February. Bleh. I am tired and mopye and grumpy and generally not myself the last few days. It's partly because I seem to be coming down with a cold...which just hasn't made up it's mind to attack or retreat yet. Right now I'm just losing my voice, I'm tired and my head feels floaty. Boourns. Trying to eat well and get lots of sleep. <br /><br />Must hang on until the weekend....<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-Tu2eZpA4yo" width="459"></iframe>Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-51380564366668616472015-02-19T10:45:00.003-06:002015-02-19T10:45:45.529-06:00Way up yonderYeah, so I still keep posting just over at my other blog, so if you wanna know how I am, just head over there. I will come back here sometimes too, but splitting things up seems sorta silly at the moment.<br />See ya over there...Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-66954164052765448292015-01-14T08:18:00.004-06:002015-01-14T08:18:42.946-06:00Fat CatOur new cat Dax apparently has no self control. We used to free feed our cats, but in themonth and a half we've had her she's already put on a few pounds, so I'm switching them over to a twice daily dish feed (except for our old codger who gets food whenever he asks). On a 10 Lb cat that's a lot, so we need to change things. Right now they're a little confused and it's tricky with a kitten to make sure the little one gets enough food to grow without Dax eating&nbsp;her kitten food, which is higher in calories and she seems to like more (which might explain the weight gain). I liked free feeding them, but I also want a healthy cat and having her slim down a bit now is a lot easier than letting her plump right up like a marshmallow. <br /><br />Soon Widget will get into the vet to be fixed and we'll have some grown up cats about the place. I am thankful every day we took her home with Dax.&nbsp;She's doubled in size since we got her. She's still a playful nut, but will stop to nap on my lap at times, and Dax, when she's in the mood, will sit on me and purr and knead me. They play with each other now and chase each other around the house and get up to all kind of ninja moves. Best of all,&nbsp;they seem to like it here. <br />Hooray.<br /><br />Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-33937006336950887822014-12-22T08:47:00.002-06:002014-12-22T08:48:35.155-06:00Solstice<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aE56ztjH77k/VJgrWcWhQeI/AAAAAAAADKc/N1ia44kCG-E/s1600/Winter%2BSolstice%2B1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aE56ztjH77k/VJgrWcWhQeI/AAAAAAAADKc/N1ia44kCG-E/s1600/Winter%2BSolstice%2B1.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></div><br /><i>" Hail Earendel, brightest of angels, over middle-yard to men sent, and true radiance of the Sun bright above the stars, every season thou of thyself ever illumunest."</i><br /><br />I'm not a hippy or a hipster (and my hips are curvy as hell) but there is one ancient holiday that always brings peace and hope to my heart. Winter Solstice is a time to reflect on the old and spend a time to take in the darkness of the shortest day of the year, embrace it and say goodbye to the sadness of the past year. From here on forward the days get longer and brighter, and a new year of exciting things begins. I know everyone makes new year's resolutions but for me the time to take stock and look forward is the 21st. This was one hum dinger of a year for me in so many respects, and despite the horrors and pain I am grateful for it for everything it's taught me about myself, and how it's shown me the kindness and love of the people I am so grateful to have in my life.<br /><br />As the holiday season begins and we all take the time to be with family and friends please take a moment to sit quietly and reflect on the last year. What did you love about it? What can you leave behind? And most importantly - what can you bring into it to expand and refresh your life?<br /><br />In our next trip around the sun we have so many new things to do and try. And so much to appreciate and recognize as worthy of being in our lives again for another year. As for me, I'm making a short list of things I'd like to learn/try/do this year and am putting them in a book and in a tin. When I have some spare time I'm going to pull a note out of the tin and try something new: learn the ukelele, get a tattoo, paper mache sculpt some armour, paint some ceramics, and make some new fruit wines, just for starters...and for my soul? More quiet time. And more focus on listening to others...with my memory being faded after chemo I often focus too much on what I need to do so I don't forget and fail...but I miss out on so many things while I do so and treat others at times as though what they need is less important than what I am trying to do. A simple pen and paper will let me be more present and not just take in what I need, but be open to the needs of those I care for as well.<br /><br />The new year begins now. Further up and further in my friends :)Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-46507386831381548802014-12-19T08:17:00.001-06:002014-12-19T08:17:26.144-06:00Metro - Eleven Days From Christmas<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/PbHknhf2VZI" width="459"></iframe><br /><br /><br /><br />This obscure Canadian prairie christmas album was always on at christmas eve at my grandpa's. This song and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yk2JB4lNvq4" target="_blank">Here comes Santa Claus</a>&nbsp;still crack me up and get me in the mood for a small town christmas.<br /><br />I mean...how often do you get a kazoo in your holiday music?<br /><br />I know - not often enough :)<br /><br /><br /><br /><i>Seven 4 by 2 shlabs...to build a chicken coop to keep the ducks in...</i><br /><br />Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-64695001624446239122014-12-15T09:12:00.001-06:002014-12-15T09:21:21.389-06:00Now kiddies, remember to put on your 3D glassesWe last bought a TV just after we married about 13 years ago. It was 30" and worked just fine...the thing was still kicking, but when J stopped working for Evil Conglomerate Who Shall Not Be Named we cut our cable and have been resorting to DVDs. The idea was to get an AppleTV and buy the few shows we want to watch (like Doctor Who) and hook up Netflix for the cold winter nights when you need something to entertain you...but our TV was too old. And our non-bluray DVD player was dying too....and, yup - no HDMI on either of them. So we sat and waited...mostly for J to decide on a TV. We'd been putting money aside and after 3 months (grrr...honestly I'd given up asking about it) we finally found a good Sony one on sale with all the inputs and outputs we need to hook it up to our old amp and such and to all the new stuff... and<i> finally</i> got it back to our place for this weekend. It was 3D as a bonus...and there was a 3D bluray player on sale as well, so now that we've replaced all the necessary technogubbins we're all kitted out.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4TWYCX7cd4/VI75KkpmioI/AAAAAAAADJ4/U8-SZL39Edw/s1600/The-Jpyners-in-3D-Logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i4TWYCX7cd4/VI75KkpmioI/AAAAAAAADJ4/U8-SZL39Edw/s1600/The-Jpyners-in-3D-Logo.jpg" height="288" width="320" /></a></div><br />And damn...it's cool. Not only is the screen so much bigger (50") and clearer (blueray is rather swanky I will admit), but it's net-ready so we have all that set up now too. Instant Netflix. We still need an AppleTV for eventual complete technological update of the house so we can stream our music from the computer out the stereo by wifi, but it'll do pig, it'll do damn well. It's like we leaped ahead about 20 years in a few days. We can even plug a memory stick into the DVD player to play files off of that. Most of all tho- the 3D is a damn cool bonus. I'm glad it worked out to have it - we weren't looking for it, but man - we bought the Hobbit on 3D and watched it over the weekend...and it was brilliant. I keep hearing Count Floyd in my head reminding me to put on my 3D glasses...he heh<br /><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/T81lzG98QfM" width="459"></iframe><br />Add to that that the Season 8 of Doctor Who that we totally missed out on is now out on DVD?<br />Well, I know where I'll be for the next few weeks. Gotta catch up on the new doctor-from the few we've watched I like him already. And the new opening credits? Wow.<br /><br />OR should I say Dayum...<br />Looking this over I see that this post has 200% more damns than usual.<br />Uh oh...to make sure Santa comes by I shall go wash my mouth out with soap forthwith.<br />And by soap I mean scotch...<br />What? It's antiseptic...<br /><br />Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-24767408435032450472014-12-04T12:40:00.000-06:002014-12-04T12:40:09.604-06:00Eureka!Experimental muffin extreme success:<br /><br />Oatmeal muffins were made last night and I put a slice of banana and 1 teaspoon of almond butter or nutella in the middle of them before baking. I made 6 of each last night and yes...that awesome flavour you're imagining in your head right now? Well, it's better than that :)<br /><br />So. Good.<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsqqqyuClCw/VICqgTj-S2I/AAAAAAAADJM/ll4IUzVmCSA/s1600/Be-So-Good-Steve-Martin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-tsqqqyuClCw/VICqgTj-S2I/AAAAAAAADJM/ll4IUzVmCSA/s1600/Be-So-Good-Steve-Martin.jpg" height="199" width="320" /></a></div><br />Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-15193581679362625082014-11-28T08:19:00.001-06:002014-11-28T09:24:42.908-06:00Don't SpeakMy husband has a terribly sore throat and can't talk. It hurts him to swallow. Normally I'd joke about the no talking thing but the poor man really is in a lot of pain. After 4 days of it he actually went to the Mediclinic&nbsp;about it yesterday, which means it's really bad - he hates doctors. Poor guy had to wait 3 hours for a throat swab and someone to tell him to rest and that he has laryngitis. No Sh1t Sherlock.<br />They think it's probably viral which means there's nothing to do for it other than rest and not talk...I was hoping it was strep throat just so they could help him, but they said they'd call him back today with the results of the throat swab. The irony of calling someone who can't talk to give them results on why they can't talk was apparently lost on the desk clerk. I hope he feels better soon. He's very hermity when he's sick, and I feel guilty when he feels bad and I can't help. It could be a very long and boring weekend.<br />In the cat world, things are slowly coming along. Gavin and Widget have made their peace with each other. They will be around each other and not hiss or growl. They don't go out of their way to meet up, but they are getting along. Widget is a play fiend and will let us pick her up and purrs like a little motor. Dax is still hissy and growly with the other 2 cats, but she is coming out into the main house now and not hiding as much and played with us yesterday. She's let J and I pet her and ate within 2 feet of Widget this morning without growling, so I'm hoping it'll just take some time. They don't all need to be friends...I just don't want them fighting. Especially with Gavin being the oldster he is...his last days are going to be the comfiest and most well fed I can make them. He will still eat wet food, but isn't eating as much as I wish he would, but I'm trying my best to get him to eat as much as he can so he doesn't get too skinny. Love that chudly little guy.<br /><br />It's the weekend. I have no idea what will be happening. I plan to put up a small christmas tree on the weekend. What with 2 new cats I figure I'm inviting doom if we put up the big tree, so I'll put the small 3 foot one up from my apartment on top of the bar and see how it goes...<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLacPPXpvtw/VHiTsV7eAUI/AAAAAAAADI4/FBtFAGOcUWw/s1600/1425719_250669028423927_2101895382_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hLacPPXpvtw/VHiTsV7eAUI/AAAAAAAADI4/FBtFAGOcUWw/s1600/1425719_250669028423927_2101895382_n.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div><br />November is almost over. Yes.Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-22719319351023973232014-11-24T10:42:00.001-06:002014-11-24T10:42:13.263-06:00MeowThe new critters are here. They're settling in well. Gavin is being pretty good about it all, all things considered. So glad we decided to take Dax's kitten as well. It's nice to have playing cats again. Dax is still a bit skittish, but I think with a little time and some love they'll be comfy here. Once they get used to Gavin I think they'll be fine. Right now they're just avoiding each other, which is fine...no squabbles. Just a bit of hissing.<br />Just in time for me to try and put up the christmas decorations....what was I thinking?? He heh...<br />It's hard to take photos of black cats, but here's what I could get so far...<br />:)<br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHZ9WO4fTQo/VHNfMfYtU-I/AAAAAAAADIM/K8575iIxbX8/s1600/10153003_10152934907513623_5076852463417811332_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vHZ9WO4fTQo/VHNfMfYtU-I/AAAAAAAADIM/K8575iIxbX8/s1600/10153003_10152934907513623_5076852463417811332_n.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Widget the kitten</td></tr></tbody></table><br /><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DlQnx_4poQ/VHNfMRAqmgI/AAAAAAAADII/2C7Q7zM4wkE/s1600/10429216_10152936651878623_3506495564913599219_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_DlQnx_4poQ/VHNfMRAqmgI/AAAAAAAADII/2C7Q7zM4wkE/s1600/10429216_10152936651878623_3506495564913599219_n.jpg" height="320" width="238" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dax the momma cat</td></tr></tbody></table><br />Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-83573479283789184412014-11-19T16:34:00.002-06:002014-11-19T16:34:44.086-06:00I'm going to lose all my hair again I know itI'm sure you all know how un-enamoured I am with Microsoft Software and their endless random upgrades.<br /><br />My current rant course? Sharepoint.<br />Before I went on sick leave I was just learning Sharepoint 2010 so we could create a few sites for the Lab groups and customise them. Now that I'm back we're building a website for one of my research groups and I'm looking after the Sharepoint stuff (work flows and calendars for fee for service analysis). SHarepoint can do amazing things...if you know how to use it properly. It's not in any way intuitive and they just changed a bunch of the functionalities so even what I used to be able to do is hard to do now.<br />I need some training and a good reference book before I pull all my new hair out. We have a specialist coming but he'll be serving the whole University...I doubt I'll be first in the queue when I need help so I need to figure this stuff out on my own without too much (har har) calamity.<br /><br />Microsoft can bite my arse...<br />(doo dahhh, doo daaahhh)Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-91531779758948998022014-11-14T20:23:00.002-06:002014-11-14T20:26:29.325-06:00Ranty rantyAfter a rather warm fall it's finally winter. Don't get me wrong, I'd rather have snow than cold icy rain, but I must admit it's only -14 C out and I'm already whining. There is snow now. I have a little hair this year, so it's a bit warmer (and I actually got it cut a few days ago so it has a funky style) but I could still do without the winter extremes.<br /><br />I like to go for walks. It's kinda my daily thing...and walking in the stupid cold with asthma isn't that much fun. I can't walk to work anymore or go for a stroll after supper and altho I still hope to get out and walk when I can, being stuck inside gives you cabin fever. I am currently looking for some winter things to make, knit and do to keep occupied. We still have no cable or TV and only a few movies and haven't hooked up netflix yet because J is a videographer who makes sour faces at the thought of watching a movie on the laptop or ipad, so I am feeling squirrely from the cold and it's only november. I'm trying to do some christmas crafting with a friend, but she's only off work every other week and some evenings once I'm done work I don't feel like doing anything. Ah well, I suppose it means we should try and get out more...but being slightly broke now that J is freelancing means we have to pick and choose what we do...and when I stay out late now I pay for it for a few days. Slowly figuring out the new normal...<br />At least soon I can entertain myself with putting up christmas decorations...I love that. And there's my new ukelele that I still can't play much yet. Truth be told I need to learn how to amuse myself again without a computer or the internet. TIme to do more knitting I think.<br />At least soon we'll have a new kitteh to play with tho.<br />That makes me smile.<br />:)<br /><br />Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-16758906368993802972014-11-07T17:27:00.003-06:002014-11-14T08:22:42.244-06:00BreakWell with Remembrance Day being tuesday I took off monday to give me a nice long weekend. On a spur of the moment I decided I'm heading up to visit my dad for the weekend with my brother. J is stuck here at home with obligations but I plan to knit, read and sip wine and tea all weekend.<br />I find I still get so tired a lot, even with my 8 hours of sleep a night. Last night I accidentally fell asleep on the couch at 8 and then when I woke up went to bed and still slept through all night...guess I DO need a break!<br />Hope you all have a great weekend.Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-9962614385952853282014-11-03T10:27:00.003-06:002014-11-03T10:29:22.387-06:00hippo birdy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhynW8Wb6aY/VFetS1qfrqI/AAAAAAAADHY/iCeHZcWsFOo/s1600/Cat-CatWearingPartyHatItsMyBirthday_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AhynW8Wb6aY/VFetS1qfrqI/AAAAAAAADHY/iCeHZcWsFOo/s1600/Cat-CatWearingPartyHatItsMyBirthday_thumb%5B2%5D.jpg" height="320" width="310" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>Had a great birthday and halloween -&nbsp;Wine, nice supper at my favourite restaurant and a movie (The Crow was in the theatre - yes!) ...then over the weekend there was lots of candy and wine and a bonfire with friends...and more family meals: supper with J's family and a brunch out with my best bud on sunday. Rice pudding too. I guess you could say I have successfully eaten my way through another birthday.<br /><div>Burp.<br /><div>And, yes, this one definitely kicked ass in comparison to last years. Hard to believe that last year at this time I met my oncology team on my birthday to decide my treatment options...and a year ago today I'd had my first batch of FEC chemotherapy. Now a year later I'm feeling great and have my hair back about an inch long.&nbsp;</div><div>What a difference a year makes :)</div><div><br /></div><div>And (yay) I received enough in birthday $$ to apply to adopt a new cat friend which makes me very happy. I &nbsp;will be sending in my Streetcat Rescue adoption form this week...I'll keep you posted.<br /><br /></div></div>Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-63518009756877945542014-10-23T08:59:00.001-06:002014-10-23T09:18:16.719-06:00Pinktober<i>"Once again, and I've said this hundreds of times, we do not see tags sewn into boxers reminding men to check for testicular or penile cancer. I suppose that it's because we imagine they are grown ups and will notice if anything is wrong, without having to be told what to do by their clothing.</i><br /><div><i><br /></i><i>This is just another example of a terrible disease that women suffer and die from being treated like a Junior High masturbation game, with themoney going towards nothing that will help a single woman."</i><br /><a href="http://www.butdoctorihatepink.com/2014/09/anns-october-hall-of-shame-2014-version.html" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13.63636302948px; line-height: 20.8800010681152px; text-align: justify;" target="_blank">~Ann Silberman, But Docter I hate Pink</a></div><div><br />To know me is to know I really don't like pink. I grew up a tomboy with my mom trying desperately to girl me up from time to time and force pink on me. It didn't work. I'm not as adamantly against it as I used to be, but it still drives me particularly crazy to have gotten the pink cancer. Every october the pink of "awareness" comes to the world, (never mind that it's also ovarian cancer month and they have a purple ribbon...but I guess breasts are hotter than internal eggy organs...) and it drives me nuts. So much wasted work and money for "awareness". So much corporate greed to make money off of cancer. So much sexualization and tackiness. "Save the tatas" and "I like boobies" are two slogans that pop into my head and make me cringe.<br /><br /></div><div>Me? I did not want to save my tatas. I wanted to save my life. I am missing a tata now, and they can take the other one too if it means I can have a long and happy life. Many women do not get the mastectomy they need&nbsp;and try for a lumpectomy, or on the other extreme have both of their breasts removed preventatively, only for their cancer to come back...all this pink tata saving reduces women, breast cancer and every horrible emotion, treatment and struggle patients have to endure to try and survive to an insulting pink washing that deludes people into thinking they're helping.<br /><br /></div><div>We don't show pictures of men's junk everywhere and remind them to check themselves for testicular cancer, or talk about saving weiners or some other ridiculously inane slogan - I can only imagine:&nbsp;<i>"Dude! Flick your Dick! It saves lives!"...</i>&nbsp;yeah. Sure. Yes my cancer was in my breast...but thankfully only there. What about the metastatic patients? What if, god forbid, it's spread further or comes back? What if there's no cure? Only 5% of cancer research goes into areas of study that will help metastatic patients. They're just trying to live as long as they can...and this whole month of pink is a slap in the face for them. Yes, in the US we need more funding for testing and mammograms (in Canada cancer tests and treatments are covered by health care thank goodness) but we really need more<i> research</i>. The treatments that have been created in the last 10 years saved my life. We need more of that.<br /><br />Some awareness things that have come up this year are absolutely inane...like the pink coated drill bits an american fracking company is doing to "raise awareness". Things like that make me throw up a little in my mouth. The sad fact is, after over a decade of pinktobers, we as a whole are by and large aware of breast cancer. We've deluded many people to think that early detection means you'll survive. It's a bit of a crap shoot really...you cross your fingers and dive into treatment and hope it works. I have all fingers, toes and related appendages crossed in the hopes that I am healthy again. It doesn't mean I was any braver or stronger than any of the other ladies...so far I'm just lucky. Thank god.<br /><br /></div><div>Where am I going with this? I dunno. I could rant for hours, but I ask of you - if you want to make a difference in the fight against breast cancer, donate to charities that help breast cancer patients and directly fund research. I have supported the Run for the Cure here in Canada for many years because they support quality research and patient initiatives. I know that my money and the money I raise is going to help people and fund research...maybe even me. This year I ran the race and through the generous donations of friends and coworkers I raised almost $1600. This will do more than buying a kleenex box with a pink ribbon on it.</div><div>My cancer is not for sale.</div>Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-66531830085740237722014-10-15T09:18:00.000-06:002014-10-15T09:18:06.400-06:00Zeke (1993-2014)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4D80ANBmtc/VD6Ij9vuEKI/AAAAAAAADGs/-HHwDs8UmOo/s1600/geektrim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-A4D80ANBmtc/VD6Ij9vuEKI/AAAAAAAADGs/-HHwDs8UmOo/s1600/geektrim.jpg" height="320" width="300" /></a></div>Yesterday I took the day off to remember my fluffy little Geek. He's been my buddy for over 20 years and I owe him that much. This weekend he left us. J and I wandered outside the city in the woods by the river in the golden leafy sunlight and found a nice spot in the forest at the foot of a big poplar tree to lay him to rest. He's curled up in the roots of that tree now with his favourite ball...and it is exactly right. He is at peace. And mostly so am I.<br />I admit...miss the little guy so much already. The last month he seemed to be more frail and tired and wasn't hopping as high as he used to. I was keeping an eye on him - if he started to be in pain or suffer I wanted to do the right thing, but he still seemed to be OK. It was unexpected and so very sad to find him curled up on the couch in his last nap. I spent a lot of time last week just sitting with him in my lap and enjoying the time with him. When we left for the weekend to visit Dad I came back again to say goodbye again...not sure why but I'm glad I did.<br /><br />This morning there was no little furry ball in my lap trying to steal my yogurt. No fuzzy head to pet goodbye at the door.<br />It's gonna be hard to get used to this.Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-1634790368250583732014-10-10T08:39:00.000-06:002014-10-10T08:41:06.845-06:00Turkey timeIt's Thanksgiving!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bTEHonjdgk/VDfv-f6UIRI/AAAAAAAADGY/bvRxyRpvitU/s1600/canadian-thanksgiving-turkey1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-3bTEHonjdgk/VDfv-f6UIRI/AAAAAAAADGY/bvRxyRpvitU/s1600/canadian-thanksgiving-turkey1.jpg" height="138" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div>Time for a few days at my Dad's eating turkey and going for hikes in the woods and spending sunday cooking up a big turkey supper for all our friends up there. Should be about 20 people this year. I've got the bird, potatoes and pies and everyone else is bringing salads, veg and buns. Should be tasty!</div><div>I can't wait to relax with some wine, some laughs and some fresh northern air. Might even try for a run up there, who knows? I can't wait to finish work and get outta here. :)</div><div>Have a great weekend everyone!</div><div><br /></div>Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-82907214872035405572014-10-07T13:56:00.004-06:002014-10-07T13:56:40.095-06:00Hello? Is this thing on?Hiya.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DbZdn54ztM/VDRFEHD5VsI/AAAAAAAADF8/c1fUlyUqPmY/s1600/is-this-thing-on.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--DbZdn54ztM/VDRFEHD5VsI/AAAAAAAADF8/c1fUlyUqPmY/s1600/is-this-thing-on.jpg" height="179" width="320" /></a></div><br />Just realized it's been almost a year since I posted over here...and I think I'll start migrating back here again. I've been posting over at my <a href="http://runlikeamaniac.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">health blog</a> throughout my treatment and recovery...yup, that's right, recovery!<br /><br />Yup, as of mid-July I'm done all my treatments (8 rounds of chemo, 25 days of radiation and a mastectomy. Whew!) and I'm jumping back into my life again. I've had a complete pathological response to my treatments and healed up well from everything. I've had time to rest and get my strength back and even took the time to go down and experience the insanity of Burning Man with my J before heading back to my life again. As of mid-September I've started back to work now and I am settling into life. I'm hoping to work on my fitness and start to regain all the muscles I lost. But all in good time.<br />It's great to be back. &nbsp;I'm so grateful for each and every day and all the goodness to come. I'm so grateful for having my hair and tastebuds back again! Oh yes. Looking forward to my upcoming birthday and the winter to come.<br />I'll be posting here more again now, so hope you'll all be coming by here again.<br />:)<br /><br />Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-72861269141819889112013-11-14T09:16:00.002-06:002013-11-14T09:16:25.360-06:00Movin on over....Hello everybody.<br />I don't know if you know but I have a few blogs. They just sort of developed...and, I am not really good at keeping them all up to date because...well...I'm not very verbose. It's silly to just cross post the same things on all three. I have a blog to track my fitness/workouts besides this one, as well as a sadly neglected recipe blog with my friend Magnus. And now, I admit, I am finding it recently a lot to keep up with...<br /><br />So - if you find I'm not here much posting, do not worry. I am fine...I am dealing with my newly diagnosed breast cancer chemo and smiling and living my life with my lovely J and my 2 old cats. I am finding that I don't want to split up my thoughts right now and so I have decided that, at least until I'm done chemo, I'll begin to keep all my posts together in one blog for a while.<br /><br />Sooooooooo...If you want to know how life is here at Casa Geo - please head on over to my other blog&nbsp;<a href="http://runlikeamaniac.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Uberfrau </a>and see my posts there. Since I will be working hard to stay fit and healthy during my breast cancer treatments I will likely will be posting there regularly. Hope to see you over there :)<br /><br />Much Luv,<br />GeoGeosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12347845.post-66554625828873591322013-11-13T12:02:00.000-06:002013-11-13T12:03:00.148-06:00Goo goo cachooI am waiting for my hair to fall out. I'm so curious...the 3 chemo drugs I started receiving on the 1st for my breast cancer all cause hair loss so I'm guaranteed to be bald...and it could happen at any time. I'mm so very curious as to <i>when</i>. I feel like I should shave my head as a preemptive strike to avoid shedding all over (ew), but I have no idea *when* it will fall out. They say anywhere from 8-10 days on...which is now.<br />I have wonderful friends and family who are making me hats to wear and I've found a few pretty headscarves and hats online that are in the mail to me now...so now I just wait. Soon I will be the eggman.<br />But when?<br />Inquiring minds want to know.<br /><br /><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpaKdvR3Kqo" target="_blank">That's right I'm the eggman</a></i><br /><i><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jpaKdvR3Kqo" target="_blank">Driving around king of the town</a></i>Geosominhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15729167937433295927noreply@blogger.com0